Right of Reply by India under Agenda Item 4 at the 41^st Session of the Human Rights Council (24 June – 12 July 2019) delivered by Mr. Animesh Choudhury, First Secretary, Permanent Mission of India [Geneva, 03 July 2019]

Mr. Vice President

India exercises its right of reply to the mendacious Pakistani propaganda.

2. We deplore repeated misuse of the Council by Pakistan for concerted disinformation campaign against India. Despite Pakistan’s negative and propagandist campaign, the robust and mature Indian democracy has effectively addressed all challenges including those instigated from outside in Jammu and Kashmir through sufficiently strong and adequate mechanisms. An independent judiciary, national and state human rights commissions, free and vibrant media and an active civil society guarantees freedom for the people of Jammu and Kashmir including accountability and justice.

3. In contrast, the people of Pakistan occupied Kashmir do not enjoy even basic rights. Special terrorist zones, safe havens and sanctuaries thrive; the UN proscribed terrorists and entities operate freely, minorities are harassed through blasphemy laws and forced conversions. Genuine Political dissent and legitimate criticism in Sindh, Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa faces violent suppression. Millions of innocents have suffered enforced disappearances and unlawful killings at the hands of Pakistan’s security agencies. Muslim minorities such as Shias, Ahmadiyas, Ismailia and Hazaras are victims to sectarian violence and systemic persecution. Every single voice of dissent in Pakistan Occupied Jammu and Kashmir; be it media, civil society, political dissidents is constantly muzzled.

4. Cross border terrorism emanating from Pakistan is the biggest challenge in the Indian State of Jammu and Kashmir. India has lost more than 14000 civilian and 5000 security personnel to terrorist attacks in Jammu and Kashmir alone since 1990.

5. Pakistan with its selective amnesia chooses to selectively recall parts of the UN resolution on Jammu and Kashmir. However, its memory conveniently fails that it need to first vacate the illegal occupation of a part of the Indian State of Jammu and Kashmir and has to fulfill its obligations under the 1972 Simla Agreement and Lahore Declaration of 1999. India has taken several initiatives to maintain peace and security for the people of Jammu and Kashmir. We stopped all anti-terror operations in Jammu and Kashmir during the holy month of Ramadan so that all Indian citizens of the Muslim faith could perform their religious duties.

6. This august forum is meant to deliberate upon crucial and genuine issues pertaining to Human Rights and violations thereof. But instead of adhering to that objective, Pakistan is merely spewing lies for a self-serving mendacious propaganda that was evident in its statement which was nothing but a farrago of distortions and misrepresentations. We ask Pakistan that instead of squandering and abusing its right of expression in this august forum, give this Right, in letter and spirit, to its citizens and to the millions of hostages held captive for the past 72 years in Pakistan occupied Jammu and Kashmir for the entire world to see the hypocrisy that is enshrined in the objectives of Pakistan in this forum.

7. The IOC has no locus standi on the internal affairs of India. We strongly advise OIC to refrain from making such references in future.

I thank you Mr. Vice President

****